OK, I'm back online and should be for the next few days and that will allow me to catch up on the visits I have made. The top picture is of Lee Whitman, pastor of the church in Opelika, Georgia. He also is responsible for three other churches, but two of them are managed mostly by Uchee Pines. The Opelika Church is new and it is a really nice facility. He is trying to take it to new growth levels and they are reaching into the community via health and exercise programs. Interestingly he says his membership is 90% black even though there are regional churches nearby. Lee has never been in one church for more than four years and is realizing that a longer stay is needed to achieve significant growth and trust for leadership.
My next stop was Peachtree City and the pastor there is none other than Dave Ketelsen, son of John Ketelsen who is one of my elders. I must apologize in that I meant to get a picture of them and time got away from us so I will have to get one from them and get it included later. Dave and Debbie are doing some wonderful things for this church. In fact they outgrew the church and built a school and they meet in the gym, which has been made very nice as a place of worship. The Peachtree City Church sponsors a run every year and Dave has made some significant contacts and friends in the community. Another outreach they do is called "Truly Christmas" where the ladies decorate tables, prepare food, and the husbands serve. They have had up to 300 women attend with 60% being non members.
I'll catch you up on Wednesday's visits and Thursday's fun ride tomorrow. Right now (Thursday evening) it is 11:20 and we rode for 14 hours and I think my bed is calling me. Thanks for your patience with the lack of internet connections. I promise we'll get back on track.
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